126 ox THE LITTORAL FAUNA OF N. E. ATJSTRALIA, 



but move with ease along tlie ground, keeping the spines erect in 

 a regular '' cheveux-de-frise" around them. They are easily 

 handled, however, in spite of their formidable appearance. But 

 it is not so with Echinothrix calamaria, which is much more rarely 

 met with. This is a very dangerous animal to approach. It is 

 found under stones like the former and presents a rather pretty 

 appearance, from its long, rather stout, tapering spines of sea- 

 green color, transversely striped with brown. It glides slowly 

 along, moving the spines in all directions. Between these there 

 are many fine spines, as fine as hair. They are not easily perceived 

 and though so fine and slender, yet they penetrate to great depths 

 into the hand when any attempt is made to seize the annimal. I 

 did not know their powers, and at m}^ first effort to secure one got 

 five or six of these spines in my hand, one piercing right through 

 the side of the finger. It was no use trying to extract them, as 

 they are so fine and brittle. After a few hours they did not cause 

 any inconvenience, and I suppose they must have worked them- 

 selves out, for I never felt them afterwards. I am not aware that 

 this species was found on the Australian coast previously. 



Equally uncommon is the urchin Diadema setosum, certainly one 

 of the most beautiful of all the species. Those who have only 

 seen the dried specimens can have no idea of what it is in its 

 natural state. The spines are all of one size, very long and 

 slender of very dark purple color. They spread out in rays all 

 round the test, while the anal tube projects like a large eye, which 

 in fact most observers suppose it to be. The spines penetrate the 

 hand very easity, but as they are not so fine as in J^chinofhrixthey 

 work themselves out in a short time. Diadema setosum was noticed 

 bv me in a few rock pools, and generally where an overhanging 

 ledge affords some shelter. 



The other urchins found on the reef were Jliiypono'e variegata, 

 and Salmacis raris^jina. The first was always the beautiful bright 

 violet variety, and the second was always denuded of spines. On 

 the beach away from the coral reefs I found Temnopleurus tormm- 



